• Home Page >
• Our Council >
• Council >
• Minutes, Agendas & Reports

THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL

MINUTES of an extraordinary meeting of the Vale of Glamorgan Council held at the Civic Offices on 22^nd November, 2006.

Present:  Councillor N.P. Hodges (Mayor); Councillors Ms. M.E. Alexander, R.J. Bertin, Mrs. M.E.J. Birch, Ms. R.M. Birch, Ms. L. Burnett, Mrs. J.E. Charles, P. Church, Mrs. C.V.L. Clay, J. Clifford, Miss J. Cole, G.A. Cox, R.F. Curtis, A.D. Dobbinson, S.C. Egan, A.M. Ernest, C.P. Franks, N.J. Gibbs, A.D. Hampton, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, H.J.W. James, T.H. Jarvie, G. John, F.T. Johnson, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, G.C. Kemp, Mrs. A.J. Moore, N. Moore, C.L. Osborne, A.G. Powell, Mrs. A.J. Preston, Mrs. M. Randall, A.J. Readman, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, B.I. Shaw, K.R. Stockdale, J.W. Thomas, W.C. Vaughan, S.T. Wiliam, Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson, A.C. Williams, A.J. Williams, C.J. Williams, E.T. Williams and M.R. Wilson.

542     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -

These were received from Councillors E. Hacker and M.R. Harvey.

543     COUNCILLOR M.R. HARVEY -

The Mayor indicated that Councillor Harvey was unable to be at the meeting as he had been admitted to hospital.  It was

AGREED - T H A T the best wishes of the Council would be conveyed to Councillor Harvey.

544     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -

There were no declarations of interest.

545     NOTICE OF MOTION: NO CONFIDENCE IN THE LEADER AND EXECUTIVE -

The following Notice of Motion, standing in the names of Councillor Ms. M.E. Alexander and R.F. Curtis, was discussed by the Council:

“We propose that this Council has no confidence in the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jeffrey James and in the Council’s Executive”. 

Councillor Ms. Alexander, in introducing the Notice of Motion, referred to the request for the Extraordinary meeting being due to the situation which had arisen within the Social Services Department.  Referring to the recent success of the Council in meeting Welsh Assembly targets and, as a result, receiving a WAG bonus, Councillor Alexander questioned whether this would occur in respect of the current financial year.  Referring to Group Leaders having been told in June 2006 of the deficit of £5 million, Councillor Alexander referred to a budgetary problem as having existed since 2003.  She considered that officers from the Council’s Audit Section should have been asked to look at the matter in 2003.  She felt that the current administration had let down not only the Council but the people of the Vale of Glamorgan and that the administration was out of touch with a large proportion of Vale residents. 

Councillor Alexander considered that opposition parties could work together for the good of the Vale by removing what she considered to be a discredited administration. 

Councillor Curtis, in seconding the Motion, referred to the purpose of the meeting as being to discuss and vote on the no confidence Motion in the Leader and the Cabinet.  He stressed, however, that the Motion was in no way intended as a personal attack on any Members of the current administration.  However, he was highly critical of the way the Social Services Department had, in his view, been politically led for a number of years.  He considered there to be a crisis but that the Leader appeared not to accept the position as such.  He alluded to his understanding that the Council was heading for a figure of minus £1.8 million in its reserves.

Referring to the well-attended Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) meeting at the Memorial Hall, Councillor Curtis felt that the Council would, in fact, end up incurring increased costs in the longer term if many of the measures were introduced.  Despite his views generally regarding certain Plaid Cymru policies, he was convinced that, by working together, a credible and effective administration, replacing the current regime, could be facilitated. 

The Leader read a statement which he had read out earlier in the day at Cabinet:

He thanked the Audit Committee for its work and reminded Members that Cabinet had received the minutes of three meetings of the Audit Committee in relation to the work undertaken in risk assessing the draft Action Plan for Social Services.  He considered the risk assessment to be extremely useful.  Cabinet had previously considered recommendations from the Scrutiny Committees and the Voluntary Sector Joint Liaison Committee and had accepted their proposals to review the Department.  Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) had afforded an excellent opportunity to obtain feedback from stakeholders.  The Leader made clear that the Action Plan had come from the Directorate.  His brief for officers was to bring the service back to base budget.  He considered the Action Plan as currently drafted to be inadequate inasmuch as it did not deliver the requisite savings nor did it appear to demonstrate effective management of high risk situations given the work done by the Audit Committee.  As a consequence and having regard to the recommendations of the Committees, he had asked the Chief Executive, Head of Paid Service to undertake the following:

(1)       Deliver by Christmas a revised plan with clear financial targets linked to a coherent vision and strategy of delivering sustainable Social Services in the Vale, having regard to budget requirements. 

(2)       To conduct a full review of how services are configured and delivered in the Directorate in line with the recommendation from the Community Wellbeing and Safety Scrutiny Committee.

(3)       Identify the underlying reasons for the overspend and recommendation appropriate action. 

The Leader indicated that the Chief Executive would be assisted in these tasks by the SOLACE advisor whose remit had been extended until Christmas.  The Chief Executive would be expected to provide regular updates to the all parties Social Services Budget Task Group, of which all leaders and political groups were Members and also to Cabinet and to the relevant Committees. 

The Leader referred to the Notice of Motion as, prior to the meeting, having given no reasons for the vote of no confidence.  He acknowledged an overspend in the Social Services Department for a number of years, but referred to all Councils in Wales having similar problems, to a greater, or lesser, extent.  He alluded to the creation by the Welsh Local Government Association of a Task Group to specifically address this matter with WAG.  Referring to earlier comments, he confirmed that the continued overspend had been a source of great worry to him personally as well as to the Council generally and officers.  He acknowledged that the creation of a fund providing a “safety net” for Social Services had failed to resolve the problem of overspending. 

The Leader reminded Members that no such fund had been incorporated into the current year’s budget on the basis that Members generally had agreed that it would not be prudent to continue to shore up the Social Services budget to such an extent given the pressures on other Council Departments.  Once it had become known in May 2006 that a predicted overspend of £5 million was anticipated, Cabinet had indicated that action was expected to address the issues.  The Leader had felt it to be his personal duty to take action and insist that the Directorate take action to bring the Department up to a better position.  This had resulted in the production by the Directorate of an Action Plan which had been referred by Cabinet to the relevant Scrutiny Committees and the Audit Committee.  Whilst acknowledging some of the valuable work undertaken by the relevant Committees, the Leader referred to neither of the two Scrutiny Committees having looked at the Action Plan in detail.  Notwithstanding this, various recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) relating to the situation within Social Services had been accepted by Cabinet.

The Leader referred to the Audit Committee having clearly identified the risks associated with the proposed Action Plan.  In addition, Members had voiced concern regarding two key parts of the first two points in the Action Plan, resulting in their removal from the Plan. 

The Leader considered there to be “mixed messages” emerging.  Referring to suggestions that cuts within Social Services were being proposed, he indicated that this was not the case but that the proposals were designed to reduce an overspend, not to cut the base budget.  It was not the policy of the Conservative Group to cut Social Services, albeit it was their aim to bring the budget back under control for the benefit of staff, officers and the people served. 

The Leader referred to the Council’s excellent track record in being one of the best Councils in Wales in delivering services.  Any vote of no confidence would be strongly and vigorously resisted by the Conservative Group and, whatever the outcome of the vote, the Group would continue to strive to make the Council better, stronger and to balance its budget. 

Councillor Franks referred to the apparent purpose of the meeting being due to the “catastrophic failure” of the Community Services Directorate.  However, he referred to there being no attempt within the Notice of Motion or the contributions from the Labour Group during the meeting to date, to provide a solution.  He reminded Council of the attempt by the Labour Group earlier in the year to actually cut resources available to the authority by utilising reserves.  Notwithstanding this, he considered there to be no doubt that there had been a catastrophic failure to properly manage Community Services with the danger being that the most vulnerable people would pay the highest cost in terms of the implications.  The Plaid Cymru Group would not stand idly by and see those in need of help and assistance denied support.  He also felt the Labour Group to have a responsibility to publicly state that the Council did not receive a fair level of financial support from WAG. 

Councillor Franks referred to the possibility of moving an amendment to the effect that an all-party Cabinet be formed.  However, the Mayor indicated that, on the basis of legal advice received, such an amendment would be going outside the business mentioned in the Notice of Motion and would, therefore, not be accepted.

Councillor Franks referred to having heard suggestions that the Council had failed constantly to work with partners within the health community.  He referred to his own membership of the Local Health Board and to his view that he had not received appropriate officer support to enable him to fulfil the role effectively.  He felt there to be a failure on the part of the Council to engage with the Health Trust and Local Health Board which had prevented progress in attracting additional resources or alternative funding. 

Despite the situation which had arisen within Social Services, Councillor Franks felt it unfair to suggest that the Council had been unsuccessful in all areas.  He referred to the improvement in the Council’s overall finances prior to the current situation having arisen, the refurbishment of the Town Hall, the restoration of Dyffryn Gardens and improved hygiene checks at food outlets.  He also alluded to progress on education results, recycling, the upgrading of Victoria Park and the construction of sports buildings.  He was pleased that the Plaid Cymru Group had played its part in these developments. 

In conclusion, Councillor Franks confirmed the policy of Plaid Cymru was to establish an all-party Cabinet and the Group would be supporting the vote of no confidence, not because they believed there to be any single party capable of offering a viable alternative, but because it was important to demonstrate the public outrage at the poor management of this particular service. 

Councillor John referred to his view that the situation should have been addressed much earlier.  He felt that some of the most vulnerable members of society were likely to suffer the most should certain elements of the Action Plan be introduced.  He felt there to be a need for a full investigation into the operation of the Social Services Department but also felt that potential waste occurring elsewhere in the Council should also be addressed.  He indicated that the Independent Group would support the vote of no confidence. 

Following the statements of the Group Leaders, numerous other Members contributed to the debate.

Councillor Shaw expressed concern regarding the content of the Notice of Motion and to its actual aim.  However, he welcomed the fact that it gave the Council an opportunity to comment on what he considered to be a dreadful Social Services Action Plan.  Whilst critical of the current administration, he also referred to the Labour Group as having some responsibility given that it had failed to lobby WAG for additional funding. 

Councillor Bertin referred to the Social Services Department as being in total crisis and to the potential risk of job losses.  He considered it to be a pity that there was not a plan to scrap the OneVale Project.

Councillor Readman was one of a number of Members who considered that the issue should have been addressed much earlier.  He considered some of the measures contained within the Action Plan to represent a significant risk to partners within the Voluntary Sector and which, if applied, would rebound on the Council’s Social Services Department in terms of it having to incur additional expenditure in the longer term.

Councillor C.J. Williams believed the major blame for the overspend had to lie with the Department and the Cabinet for allowing the continued overspend.  He reiterated comments he had made at the Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) regarding his view that the Budget Working Group should be more transparent and meet more regularly until the issues were resolved.  He felt the Group should be doubled in size and should include other Members considered appropriate.  He felt it to be unwise to suggest that utilisation of Council reserves was the answer to the problem.  He also felt the public to be much more interested in how Members were going to resolve the issues rather than who was to blame for the overspend. 

Referring to an earlier comment as to what the Labour Group would propose as a solution, Councillor Egan referred to the clear need to engage more effectively with other authorities and partners.  Accepting that all bodies’ budgets were tight, whether local government or the health service, he felt effective partnership working to be essential.  Councillor Egan also referred to the need to engage staff and to facilitate a greater public participation in the process.

Councillor Gibbs made similar comments regarding the need to work more effectively with partners.  He also expressed surprise regarding the Leader’s recent resignation from the Local Health Board given the current situation.  Councillor Gibbs also commented on the role of the Leader in relation to the Mayor with regard to Civic duties.  He felt there to be a growing trend of the Leader becoming more involved in areas which would traditionally be a matter for the Mayor. 

Councillor Wiliam considered the situation to have been badly handled and there to be a need for change.  However, the acknowledged that successive administrations had failed to get to grips with the issue for various reasons and that many local authorities were experiencing similar problems.  Quoting certain specific examples, he stressed his desire for the Council to do its utmost to protect the most vulnerable members of society.  He encouraged Members to embrace the need for change and, where necessary, to question their own beliefs and methods of working.  He felt there to be a need to assume corporate responsibility and to work together and urged the entire Council to support the Motion.

Councillor Dobbinson refuted an earlier reference to the Notice of Motion being a “political stunt”.  He indicated that the Motion was due to the financial situation which had arisen.  The reference within the Motion to the  Cabinet was due to the fact that no individual responsibilities had been allocated to Members.  He queried whether, given the situation which had now arisen, Council would have supported the OneVale project.  Acknowledging the difficulty in determining an annual budget, Councillor Dobbinson referred to the need to choose the right priorities.  Councillor Dobbinson also alluded to other overspends within the Council but to the fact that he understood these were being addressed.

Councillor Mrs. A.J. Moore considered there to have been a mixture of bad management and a lack of direction from the Leader and Cabinet.  She felt that the issue should have been addressed by the Leader, together with officers from the Finance and Legal divisions several years ago.  She felt that insufficient measures had been considered and/or addressed prior to the draconian measures now being suggested. 

Councillor Stockdale referred to the Scrutiny Committees, since the 2004 elections, as having worked hard to maintain services and that he had been pleased by the progress made.  He referred to the hard work of the staff within Social Services.  Councillor Stockdale was glad the Action Plan had now been withdrawn and that a revised Plan would be prepared.  He felt there to be a need to continue to lobby for funding from central government. 

Councillor Mrs. M.E.J. Birch referred to the recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) following its consideration of the Action Plan.  She referred in particular to the Committee’s recommendations that a radical root and branch restructuring take place, albeit that this should not result in a reduction in front line services.  She also felt there to be a need for the Council to consider whether certain other projects in other Directorates needed to be progressed.  She felt the issues to be too important to be the subject of a political gain. 

Councillor N. Moore referred to the situation within Social Services as having prevailed for some time but with no action being taken to address issues.  Referring to the establishment of a management fund, he felt that the money had simply been spent without real progress being made in addressing the issues of overspend.  He felt that Scrutiny Committees’ representations had been ignored in this, and other service areas.  He referred to having specifically asked the District Auditor at the Audit Committee to give an opinion on the specific actions contained within the Action Plan.  He indicated that the District Auditor stated the view that it would take some time to retrieve the situation.  He considered there to have been total mismanagement within the Council.

Councillor Moore referred to his understanding as to the level of balances likely to be in existence by the end of the current financial year.  He considered there to be a need to carefully prioritise expenditure and acknowledged the need to lobby for additional central funding.  However, he quoted examples of additional income which the Council had already received from WAG, including grants specifically for Social Services.

In addition to Social Services, Councillor Ms. Burnett referred to her concern regarding the apparent inability of the Council to deliver major projects elsewhere either on time or budget.  She referred to a number of projects, including the Penarth Headland Link, in respect of which she referred to the likelihood of the Council losing significant external funding due to its inability to commence/progress works sufficiently. 

Ms. Burnett was particularly concerned regarding the impact on the elderly, sick and vulnerable people within the Vale of Glamorgan as a result of the problems which had arisen within Social Services and the potential actions under consideration.

Councillor Wilkinson referred to her concerns regarding this situation, and, in particular, to the potential effect on staff both within Social Services and elsewhere in the Council. 

Councillor Powell reiterated comments made earlier by Members regarding action not having been taken earlier.  Similarly, he reiterated concerns which had been expressed by other Members regarding the impact of the Action Plan on the most vulnerable members of society.

Councillor A.C. Williams addressed the meeting and referred to various initiatives and areas of specific expenditure.  He referred to his time as Cabinet Member and to his own, and the Council’s efforts to provide the best possible service. 

In conclusion, Councillor Ms. Alexander expressed pleasure that the Leader and Cabinet had accepted many of the recommendations of the Audit Committee.  However, she expressed concern regarding the fact that action had not commenced earlier in the process.  She also alluded to concerns regarding certain actions taken under the Director’s delegated powers. 

Upon request by the required number of Members, a recorded vote took place in respect of the Motion, with voting taking place as follows and it being

RESOLVED - T H A T the Motion be carried.